DISHA GUPTA, UNDER TRAINING CAPTAIN

She was all of 18 when she settled on a dream career. She then did the unthinkable by dropping out of engineering college and enrolled into flying school all the way in Toronto. Because Disha Gupta’s love for the skies overpowered everything else. Currently an under-training Captain with one of the leading airlines in India (known for its stellar on-time performance), Disha could not have asked for a better life!

Before she started her training she had spoken to an astrologer, curious to know what her future held. The response was negative and she was told that she would never flourish in this career.

Not allowing this to deter her spirit, Disha still went ahead. Then on completing her training, she was unemployed for three years as there was a slump in the aviation industry. There were moments when the astrologers words came back to mind, there were times she doubted if she had made the right choice, but she believed in herself and stayed determined. Now, with 7 years of experience flying commercial jets, Disha is so glad she did not let the doubts and second thoughts dictate the choices she made.

She would love to see more women pilots and says that it may seem like a glamorous career from the outside, but it is taxing on the mind, on the body and the erratic work hours, negligible social life and exams every six months is a lot of commitment – only those with a deep-rooted passion for flying must pursue it.

The one lesson she has learned as part of her professional life is to be modest and kind, no matter how good you  get at your job. “It doesn’t just get you respect,” she says, “ but love and appreciation from your colleagues. Arrogance has no place in this profession where every single day is different!”